Durham Modern Middle East and Islamic World Series Mapping Futures for Afghanistan

This book offers a critical and forward-looking exploration of Afghanistan’s most pressing challenges and future possibilities. It examines the current crises posed by the Taliban’s return to power and the collapse of the Republic in August 2021 and maps a range of challenges and solutions that will shape the country’s long-term future. Mapping Futures for Afghanistan offers a critical and forward-looking exploration of Afghanistan’s most pressing challenges and future possibilities. It examines the current crises posed by the Taliban’s return to power and the collapse of the Republic in August 2021 and maps a range of challenges and solutions that will shape the country’s long-term future. As the first volume of its kind to be entirely produced by scholars from Afghanistan, it critically engages with the dominant narratives and re-imagines the country’s path toward a just, pluralistic and democratic future. Featuring original contributions from leading experts, the volume critically examines Afghanistan’s political, economic, human rights, and geopolitical challenges - while exploring potential solutions. It foregrounds local knowledge and perspectives that are often excluded from mainstream policy and academic discourses. This timely collection will be of interest to a wide range of audiences, including policymakers, practitioners, scholars and students with an interest in Afghanistan and the broader processes and challenges of inclusive peacebuilding and conflict resolution in war-torn societies.